"We can earn more points once we've spent them! But we cannot lose Slytherin's dignity or the Malfoy family's prestige!"
Malfoy's tone grew excited and inflammatory.
"Trust me, the S-Rank Clue has to be in the Golden Blind Box! Someone like Holmes would definitely put the best thing in the most expensive place! We're going to get that map in front of everyone! That's the choice of the strong!"
"But our points..."
"What does it matter if we don't have enough points?"
A fanatical light shone in Malfoy's eyes.
"Didn't you hear? We can take out a loan! We can sign a contract with Professor Snape! I'll guarantee him on your behalf that we Slytherins will take care of the future N.E.W.T. Potions Classes!
We'll wager our future credits on a decisive victory we can secure right now! That's true boldness!"
Krum looked at Malfoy's face, flushed with excitement, then at the expectant eyes in the Slytherin stands. In the end, his competitive spirit as an athlete overpowered his reason.
Under Malfoy's insistence and urging, he finally nodded, strode forward, and announced in a brief, forceful voice:
"The Golden Blind Box."
"The Golden Blind Box!"
Fred practically jumped into the air.
"He's chosen the Golden Blind Box! A two-thousand-point gamble!"
"He's mad! He's really gone mad!"
George shouted to the entire crowd.
"Admirable courage! Or utter foolishness!"
At the adjudicators' table, Headmaster Karkaroff rose nervously, while Professor Snape raised his eyebrows almost imperceptibly.
Two thousand points vanished from Krum's team account in an instant.
Everyone held their breath. Even Cedric and Pheobe, who had already received their clues, looked over nervously.
A scroll radiating dazzling golden light floated slowly toward Krum like a miniature sun.
On the magical screen, golden light gathered into a huge vortex, spinning faster and faster.